Donal Hinely - Diary of a Snowflake (2020)

No stranger to music with a message, Nashville singer/songwriter Donal Hinely reunites with producer David Henry (R.E.M., Cowboy Junkies, Gretchen Peters, Josh Rouse) to deliver an inspired and timely meditation on the turmoil and division of today. With its scaled down instrumentation and Newport Folk sensibility, the mostly acoustic Diary of a Snowflake offers a salve for despair and despondency, giving voice to those who are deeply troubled by the rising spectre of racism, the erosion of societal norms and civility, the quiet death of decency, and the weakening of democracy. Engaging melodies are bolstered by Henry’s signature string arrangements and further fleshed out with melodic mandolin lines and a sparse sprinkling of piano.

Trying to realize this project in an age of pandemic, Hinely was forced to improvise a home studio. With two microphones and an old laptop, the two time Kerrville New Folk finalist recorded his guitar and vocal tracks simultaneously, capturing one complete unedited live performance for each song. Henry then transformed these tracks from pupa to butterfly, unleashing his full range of talent and musicality.The collaborative spirit of the project is further exhibited by the barter system that financed it. The only currency Henry would accept for his indispensable contributions to the project was a steady stream of fresh vegetables from Hinely’s large organic garden.